PAUMA VALLEY - For the second time in less than two weeks, Pauma
Valley residents had a chance Wednesday to express their concerns
over the planned expansion of Casino Pauma.

Last week, the Pauma Band of Mission Indians, which owns the
casino, hosted a meeting on the project attended by about 60
residents, who said increased traffic on Highway 76 was one their
main concerns. The same topic drew about 30 people Wednesday to the
Pala-Pauma Sponsor Group's regular meeting.

Though many of the residents said they were frustrated over the
project, Joe Chisholm, chairman of the group, said discussions
could help address some of the residents' concerns. The group
advises county planners on land-use matters in the area.

"Trying to work with them (the tribe) seems to get more than
saying, 'no way,' " he said.

Chisholm recommended writing a letter to the county that
officials could use in negotiations with the tribe. The letter
would include a list of recommendations that would improve safety
on nearby roads, including placing a signal at the intersection of
Pauma Reservation Road and Highway 76.

Other recommendations included building a parking lot at
Interstate 15 and Highway 76 with shuttles for casino employees and
patrons.

The Pauma band released an environmental report last month on
the project that said the facility would increase traffic on
Highway 76, a rural road leading to the reservation from Interstate
15.

Chris Devers, chairman of the Pauma band, told the residents
last week that his tribe would consider their comments in the
environmental review process. He said after the meeting that some
of the apparent frustrations may have been because of the
residents' lack of familiarity with the report.

Among other things, the report recommended that the tribe help
pay for improvements to ramps connecting Highway 76 to Interstate
15, improve segments of the highway and improve the highway
intersection at Pauma Reservation Road.

Under an agreement with the state, the tribe is required to
negotiate a deal with the county to address some of those problems
before it can start construction.

In July, the county and the Pala band announced an agreement
that the tribe would pay more than $38 million to improve roads
near its casino east of Fallbrook.

Pala also agreed to pay among other things $200,000 a year for
Sheriff's Department services, $150,000 for gambling addiction
treatment and $15,000 for criminal prosecution of gambling related
crime.

The Pauma band opened a temporary casino six years ago on its
reservation north of Valley Center, 11 miles east of Interstate 15.
The casino houses 1,090 slot machines and 22 table games.

Last year, the Pauma tribe announced it would build a $300
million casino and hotel with the help of its partners, the
Mashantucket Pequots' Foxwoods Development Co.

The new casino would house up to 2,500 slot machines, 50 table
games and 10 poker tables, according to the report. A 23-story
hotel would include 384 rooms, 16 villa-style suites, a spa, pool
and gardens.

Some residents said they felt there was little they could do to
have their concerns addressed through the advisory group. Several
people said they wanted to start a publicity campaign regarding the
traffic conditions on Highway 76

Asked what he felt the meeting would accomplish, resident Don
Means said, "nothing."

"The problem you got here is these people have no power," Means
said.

Residents can submit written comments on the project until Sept.
21 to the tribe's consultant, Tierra Environmental Services at 9915
Businesspark Ave., Suite C, San Diego, CA 92131.